Barely Breathing

The sun started to set behind an array of mountains, giving way to darkness creeping in the forest. The wind whizzed making my
hair fly backward and I regretted not tying it up in a ponytail.
I made my way over the center of the training field, very aware of my opponent's deathly glare who currently was warming up
already. And here I thought I was the early bird.
The crowd's not-so-quiet conversation filled the air. Like most of the time, I did my best to ignore them and proceeded to warm
up. Someone cleared their throat and I snapped out of my inner thoughts.
Xyrus stood far between Ehren and me but his stare was focused solely on me. I guess, the 'ignore Willow as much as you can'
thing ended just now.
He looked me up and down and his eyes narrowed. What was his problem? It was then I felt a pain in my head like someone
was trying to put down the barrier but I fought against it. There will be no talking to him.
We had a staring match and I held his gaze, daring to show him how stubborn I can be. Realizing I'm not backing down, he
made his way towards me with slow steps still not breaking eye contact.
He stopped a foot away from me, the closest distance we had been since almost two weeks. I shivered involuntarily, not
comfortable with him near me. The few times he had me at arms-length, he has the habit of pulling me into a hug and that's not
happening again.
"Change."
Xyrus whispered enough for me to hear. Like I would do that, there's definitely no wrong with what I'm wearing. He's just
overreacting.
"You're overreacting. A sports bra and jogging pants are normal for girls to wear if you don't know that yet." I said a bit sarcastic.
Xyrus glared and shook his head at me, not appreciating my outwit comeback. His eyes shifting into an almost light red hue and I
had to blink to make sure I wasn't imagining things.
He rubbed his hand on his face and sighed. His eyes changed to their original color. He suddenly took off his shirt and handed it
to me. "Wear this, or we can do it the hard way."

'Yeah. It's still both your own will, either way, right?' I thought. I felt my cheeks heated up at what he wants me to do. This was so
embarrassing! He' was just overreacting. I took a step backward unsure of what to do. I shifted my gaze from his face to the shirt
on his hand.
"I hate you," I muttered with all the hate I can put in it and snatched the shirt. I quickly pulled it on top of my outfit.
He appeared very satisfied and smiled an actual smile. He cleared his throat once more and cited the rules of a challenge which
I didn't hear properly as I was busy squirming. His shirt smells strongly like him and it felt kinda odd wearing it.
I didn't notice Gabbiel, the beta, had come to us and was now beside Xyrus. He bowed with a 'luna' and I nodded my head at
him.
After few more instructions uttered, silence enveloped the field as the fight commenced, the pack members standing not far
eager to watch it.
The silence however was broken by Gabbiel's words directed to his little sister before he and Xyrus walked away from us to join
the crowd.
" I'm not taking you out of this Ren, it's all in you. "
Ehren huffed. Annoyed by his brother's demeanor. I scanned the crowd trying to find Carter and saw him at a corner, appearing
unease. He caught me staring and he lowered his head.
Ehren's stance was in an attack mode ready to lunge at me any moment. I lowered my body and stretched my arms defensively.
She eyed me up and down, her anger morphing into a higher degree.
Ohh. I am wearing his shirt might as well use it to my advantage. And so, I smirked at her, a sweet-sided smile to fuel her anger
more. It worked almost an instant as Ehren threw her first punch aiming at my face followed by a sidekick. I blocked all of it
smoothly.
She backed away few steps and sneaked a glanced at my left. Bad move Ehren. I side-swerved quickly knowing she'll aim there
and I was right.
She wasted no time throwing punches and kicks in every direction and I was glad about all the sparring matches I've done with
Xyrus, it comes in handy.

Though I must admit, Ehren's got herself skills which makes it harder for me to dodge her every attack. Now that I've thought of
it, Xyrus probably was her trainer too.
I was caught off guard when she had managed to bypass my defense and landed a punch on my gut. The air was knocked off of
me and I spat blood. Heaving, I tried to stand up straight and wiped the blood left on the corner of my lips. It was indeed a strong
blow.
"What's wrong Ellis? Didn't expect that?" She taunted. Like hell will I let her get that satisfaction.
I laughed which made her narrow her eyes on me. I laughed a heart-filled laugh, not pretending at all. The truth was I am
absolutely having fun. I love challenges especially a fight with someone like Ehren.
"Lame" I taunted back. " ...for someone having a beta blood you sure punch like an omega."
I love the look on her face as I said those words. Messing your opponent's emotion was what I enjoy the most.
I had my fair share of fights and I've come to know that always favorable.
I wasn't even surprised when she shifted into her wolf which if you let your emotion messed up your thoughts during a fight, it will
loosen up your self-control. You will lose your temper and will taint your supposed to be cleared mind. The consequences,
however, aren't escalated the fight momentously. Fighting in wolf form signifies one's submission to his nature. The beast hiding
within his human body.
She wasted no time not even letting me shift first before she lunged at me. For a moment I felt fear crept in me as I saw her
beast in the air, ready to scratch my body as it landed. Both claws were outstretched, trapping me right and left.
My eyes must have tricked me because time frozen at a slow pace as I heard the pack member's audible gasps and some actual
shouting from afar as they hopelessly watched the scene unfolds before their eyes, followed by a loud terrifying growl and black
fur was all I saw.